Saturday: Station Eleven, Commuting Into the City & the Garden

I’ve had to tear myself away from the last 10 or so pages of Station Eleven to write this post. My lord, this is one of the best books I’ve read in a long, long time; completely realized, that rare kind of story which transports me to another place and time, where I’m lost in its pages, so much so, that I can’t re-enter my world immediately. It stays with me throughout the day. I want it to end, but I don’t want it to end.

This is one of those times that I wish I was sitting around with some of you who have already read Station Eleven, sipping coffee and talking, talking, talking about it. I cannot say enough just how much I love this book. It’s the sort of book I would have been wary of buying, afraid that it wouldn’t be my cup of tea. But, I’d heard a lot about it and I put it on reserve at the library and I’m so, so glad I did.

I know you’d love photos from NYC when I travel into the city, but on days when I’m there on business, I simply have no time to take pictures. That kind of day in NYC becomes about driving 30 minutes to the bus station, spending an hour and a half on the bus (in this case, even longer, because traffic was so bad that we arrived 40 minutes late), which forced me to speed walk the 14 blocks or so to the rehearsal space, attend the 3 hour meeting, speed walk back to the bus station, grab some take-out for lunch that I had to eat on the bus, travel 90 minutes back to my local bus station, and drive 30 minutes back home. A simple 3 hour meeting involves about 8 hours of time.

On days when I’m in the city with time to spare, when I travel in for fun, or am staying in the city on a job, then I have time to take photos. And I love doing that.

That’s why even an audition – which, let’s face it, takes all of 10 minutes – is a big commuting hassle for Don. It’s a trade-off, one that we made when we decided to live this far from the city. Most of the time, it’s worth every hassle. But there are times….

This coming week, Don has two auditions on two separate days and I have to go back in on Wednesday for another meeting. Feast or famine in the Hill-Sparks household! We’re grateful for the activity, though; it means we’re employed or have the chance to be employed.

I’m pleased to say that I’ve finally noticed some flower activity on the mass of morning glories that are twining and growing all over the chicken wire fence but, up until now, have shown no sign of anything other than leaves. I spotted this little soon-to-be blossom yesterday.

And over on the side of the fence where the smaller vines have been growing:

This is about to bloom.

I finally had a good night’s sleep last night after 4 nights of far too little sleep. I slept in a little, read some of Station Eleven (because you know I read first thing in the morning nowadays), and was late getting to this post.

Mowing is on the docket for today. We had a lot of much-needed rain on Thursday and the lawn in looking shaggy.

Don’t forget, I posted a book review yesterday and I’m giving away a copy of the book. Just scroll down to Friday’s post to leave a comment.

Comments

This books sounds great. I love stories that really take me away. Lots of travel time to get to NYC but as you say it means employment! Enjoy your weekend. I’m doing some catching up after my wonderful visit with Ashleigh. I miss her already!
hugs,
Linda

Claudia, just ordered audiobook, Station Eleven, sounds good. I do cross stitch and listen to books, cannot do one thing at a tim!. I love to say “someone is reading to me”. I have favorite readers I will give Ms Potter a try, my favorite is to say ” yes Derek Jacobi just read me a book”. I recently drove up to visit daughter in Nh….Derek read an all time favorite The daughter of Time. Have you read Tey”s book…it is an older but fascination. Have a nice weekend. Thank goodness a bit cooler here in RI.

Wow! It’s not often you read a review like that. If it is really that good, then I must read it. I always follow your suggestions and the only time I was disappointed was when I couldn’t source a particular book here in the UK. bummer! Blessings

Oh, I’ve just read a previous comment about ‘The daughter of Time’ I’ve had that book 3 times, loaned it out, and never got it back. I’m a member of the Richard 3rd Society, so obviously this is a favourite of mine. Down with the Tudors and up with Richard 3rd. Shakespeare was a bit biased, and although I love his work. Richard the 3rd was biased because he was writing for the Tudors, and who can blame him for that. Let’s face it, if he had lost his head we wouldn’t have been blessed with some (?) of the most brilliant writing in the English language. You can imagine my joy when the remains of Richard 3rd were found. By the way, my DH hates Shakespeare because he just doesn’t understand the genius behind it, and all because he had an uninspiring English teacher. Mine, on the other hand was brilliant, explaining all of it to us. By the way, when you work with Romeo and Juliet don’t you get angry when people don’t understand ‘Wherefore art thou Romeo?’ Why can’t they understand it just means ‘why are you a Montague?’ My teacher cleared up all these anomalies in language, and I bless her for it, (and I was only 11) Love to Scout and Don

It’s sad what damage an uninspiring teacher can do (at least to Shakespeare!) Luckily, I grew up taking an annual fall trip to the Stratford Festival in Canada, where I saw some of the greatest actors of their generation performing the texts and it made it come alive for me.

I finished it right after I wrote this post, and I cannot get it out of my thoughts. I suspect, like you and your husband, I will be thinking of it for a long time to come. This is one that I must get a copy of for my library.

The rain is here today Claudia..in fact the weather map shows most of PA covered in rain with maybe more to come from Ohio way…I’d say Station 11 must be really good by how quickly you have read it…one of those can’t put it down books I’m guessing…I’ve already put it at the top of my TBR list…Better late than never for your morning glories..at least you still have time to enjoy them…and so do we..lol..

I like walking, and I tend to walk quickly when I’m in the city. A few years ago, when I was on the way to see my student/friend Jim Parsons in Harvey, the bus was once again late, and I had to speed walk 16 blocks in 95 degree weather! That was exhausting/exhilarating!

I have Dishing the Dirt on hold at the library. I’m on the waiting list and I just added Station Eleven. I definitely need more hours in the day for reading. Glad to hear there are job prospects on the horizon. xo Laura

Hi Claudia, I have missed visiting your blog. I went back over things I have missed. Loved your phlox and the morning glories. Hope everything is going well there. Oh I like the way the patio looks. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband and dog. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating. My decorating style is eclectic but if I had to call it anything, I'd call it Christmas in Connecticut, after all those forties movies with comfy cottage style.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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